I’m starting this new blog to get started on a new project to understand what inspires and supports creative visionaries to stay on track with what they were put here to do, in the face of what must often be incredible pressure to conform and let go of their radical ideas.
I’m defining creative visionaries (so far) as:
- Creative geniuses
- Imagination-based entrepreneurs
- Thought-leaders
- Cutting edge designers
- Technological innovators
Here are the questions I’m asking so far:
- What kind of legacy does a creative visionary long to leave?
- What does a creative visionary do when they get off track or lose their way?What causes them to lose their way? How do they get back on track?
- What is a creative visionary’s life purpose? Do they have a sense of it? How does it guide their actions?
- What does a long dark night of the soul look like for an imagination entrepreneur and visionary?
- What challenges does a creative visionary have and how do they overcome them?
- What kinds of non-supportive labels have creative visionaries struggled with over the course of their lives?
- How do visionaries deal with the doubts and fears of the people around them about the visions they hold?
- What kinds of obstacles have they faced and overcome to get to where they are now?
Here are a few of the creative visionaries I’ve thought of so far:
- George Lucas
- Steven Spielberg
- Steve Jobs
- John Lasseter
- Peter Jackson
- Carly Fiorina
I’d love to interview some of them — and other similar types — to begin to answer these questions to understand what enables their success.
I’d love to hear your suggestions and thoughts.
I can’t wait to hear what kind of info you get. I expect you will find some pretty cool people to interview.
What is the ultimate intention? Will you be coaching visionaries who are in the midst of the obstacles, etc.?
Me too! I hope to interview some amazing folks. I’d love to have reader suggestions for who to interview.
The ultimate intentions — 1) Write a book on this subject, 2) Inspire budding creative visionaries, 3) Coach visionaries to breakthrough obstacles. At least so far. :)
Thanks for your support and interest!
You’re a star, Mary.
Hi Jenna, I love what you are up to with this project! It’s inspiring! It would be fun to read about more about you as a Creative Visionary – how is this alive in your life? What are the benefits of really letting this part of ourselves/myself out to play in the world – I have been thinking about this a lot lately – how does my creative and visionary (creative visionary) self show up more fully in my work, in my writing, in my coaching, in my parenting, in my marriage, in my community….? I find it ironic that something that is so much a part of who I am – also can get lost in the shuffle if I don’t let it shine. Thanks for helping me put a name to this part of myself that hungers for more. Wishing you success with this project and beyond, Lynda
Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC
Founder, Creative Wellness
I think in my opinion James Cameron tops the list of creative visionary – he always has a message, not sure if Lucas and Speilberg were true to that visionary have released the last Indiana Jones movie.
At least Cameron is true to himself.
This is incredible Jenna. WOW can I relate to so much of how you contemplate. The questions you pose here, ‘hit home’ lets say, and the outcome of your focus – I am very curious to follow the findings.
Quite a bit off of the radar of the list of Creative Visionaries you have listed, but considering the change that she has brought the world, I would love to see you add Louise Hay. She has brought much spiritual change to our world for quite a few decades and continues to do so through her work. And from what I hear, not without many a ‘misfit’ days in the process years ago.
I would love to continue to be a part of any surveys you may come up with in this journey you are on, and will continue to follow and read your findings.
Thank you for all that you do, but more importantly for all of your hearts followings that you do ;~)
Sheri
In music, and just off the top of my head, I’d include musical visionaries such as David Byrne (http://www.davidbyrne.com/) and Zoe Keating (http://www.zoekeating.com/) . In photography, I’d include Gregory Colbert (http://www.ashesandsnow.org/) . In film, one might also include M. Night Shyamalan (http://www.mnight.com/) . These are just four of the many who I feel are creative visionaries and genuine pioneers in their chosen art. It’d be interesting to make a deliberate effort to build a list of such persons. They are worth watching and certainly worth appreciating and learning from.
In all humility, and mostly because I seem to have a lot of individuals at Twitter and elsewhere who enjoy what I’m doing creatively, please also check out my haiku work at http://naumaddicpieces.blogspot.com/ . Maybe it’s an example of the same but on a smaller scale and perhaps out of the league of these notable others. I’ll leave you to judge for yourself, but I’d cherish any thoughts or impressions. Defining something entirely new is hardly a simple matter.